Sword of Dawn

Page 480

"I don't think that's the case," Dana whispered. "Didn't the teacher say that the emperor has personally issued an order to ensure the safety of foreign students during the war... We will not be involved in this war."

"That's all I said, but in fact, who hasn't been involved?" The short-haired woman snorted, "Miannu counts on the roof of the building every day how many patrols are there around the courtyard walls and gates around the Institute of Magic Technology." Soldiers, those soldiers may indeed be protecting us...but they are not just here to protect us."

Dana opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but she swallowed everything she wanted to say in the end.

She knew that what Carrie said was right, and she knew that when this sudden war broke out, it was impossible for everyone to be alone and not be involved—even a group of "students" who seemed harmless.

The winter vacation of Cecil Imperial College has arrived, but all the plans for this holiday have been silently shattered.

In this separate dormitory building, there are international students from Typhon: they are trapped in this building by this war.When the teachers and students in the college left the school one after another, this small dormitory building seemed to be an isolated island in the sea. Dana and her fellow countrymen were stranded on this isolated island, and no one knew what the future would hold. Where are they going? Although each of them is the best selected by their respective families, they are all outstanding youths of Typhon, and they are even deeply trusted by the Augustus family, but in the final analysis... most of them are just a group of people without Just young people who have experienced too many storms.

Heirs who can really shoulder the burden will not be sent here to study abroad—those heirs will also have to take care of the family business in China, preparing to deal with greater responsibilities.

Another gust of cold wind passed between the buildings, and the high-pitched sound of the wind passed through the double-glazed windows and reached Dana and Carrie's ears. It sounded like the whisper of some distant beast Roar, Dana subconsciously glanced at the window not far away, and saw large flakes of snowflakes dancing against the hazy sky background.

In this exotic winter, even the swirling snow seems to have turned into a tangible wall and cage. To go through this wind and snow to the outside world requires the courage to cross an abyss.

In fact, the administrators of the college did not prohibit the free movement of Typhon’s international students stranded here—in principle, except for the strict restrictions on cross-border behavior with Typhon, they came here through normal procedures and did not make mistakes International students are not subject to any restrictions or difficulties. The emperor has signed an order to treat students well, and the Government Affairs Office has publicly publicized the policy of "not letting legitimate students get involved in wars." In theory, Dana can even complete what she considered before. Holiday plans like going to Tanzania to visit the historic Mill Hill and inner city wharves...  

But all this is a theoretical matter, the fact is that none of the Typhon students left here, whether it was due to prudent safety considerations, or because of resistance to the Cecils at the moment, Dana and her fellow countrymen eventually died. I chose to stay in the college, in the dormitory area—this huge college, the corridors, courtyard walls, courtyards, and buildings distributed vertically and horizontally in the college, have become the shelters for these foreign stranded people this winter, and even become a shelter for them. their whole world.

"Fortunately, the supply of supplies has always been sufficient. There has been no water or magic net cutoff. The cafeteria in the central area will be open during the holidays, and the shops in the main campus area will not be closed," Carrie's voice woke Dana from her thoughts. The daughter of the Viscount of Chihawk County said with a hint of optimism, "On the bright side, our life this winter will become an unforgettable memory in our lives. We didn't have many opportunities to experience these in our original lives-trapped in the wartime In the academy of the enemy country, the never-ending wind and snow, the discussion about the future, the students who set up roadblocks in the corridor... Ah, and these books you borrowed from the library..."

Dana thought for a while, and couldn't help showing a smile: "Anyway, setting up barricades in the corridor is still too powerful... The second son of Marianne and the Weber family is indeed from a knight family, and they would think of this. kind of thing..."

"Maybe next spring they will have to compensate the dean for those wood and iron plates, and maybe they will have to face Mr. Magnum's angry roar," Carrie shrugged. I know what we are doing in the dormitory building - Ruslan also mentioned yesterday that when he passed the corridor at night, he saw Mr. Magnum's spirit body floating past the corridor, as if he was inspecting our last building. The dormitory where I live."

Perhaps thinking of the terrifying scene of Mr. Magnum's angry roar, Dana shrunk her neck subconsciously, but soon she laughed again. The scene described by Carrie finally made her feel so cold and tense on this winter day. A trace of long-lost relaxation.She laughed, and gradually laughed out loud, and then suddenly there was a sound of bagpipes passing through the corridor outside and into the house, making both her and Carrie stop subconsciously.

The intermittent and non-standard melody finally became clear and coherent, with the sound of several people singing in between. Dana subconsciously concentrated and listened carefully to the melody that came from a few rooms away, while Carrie on the side After a few seconds, he suddenly said softly: "It's the melody of Enkihawk County... Is the second son of the Uriah family playing..."

"Uriah..." Dana listened to the sound of bagpipes in the corridor, as if thinking of something, "I heard that his elder brother died on the Paramer Heights..."

Carrie didn't answer, but just nodded lightly. She leaned against the desk, tapped her fingers slowly on the table, her lips moved silently, as if she was humming softly to the faint sound of bagpipes in the air, while Dana Raising her head slowly, her eyes looked through the crystal glass window of the dormitory. The wind and snow outside the window still showed no signs of stopping. The constantly scattered snowflakes formed a hazy curtain in the wind, and the whole world seemed to disappear bit by bit. into the depths of the curtain.

……

The wind and snow were whistling outside the window. This bad weather was obviously not suitable for any outdoor activities, but for people who didn't like running outside, this kind of weather might be even better.

The petite child-like Meili Bai Zhi sat behind the desk, she raised her head, glanced at the scene of heavy snow falling outside the window, her pointed ears trembled, then lowered her head again, and the pen in her hand danced quickly on the letter paper— — There is already a thick stack of written letter paper on the desk next to her, but it is clear that she still has a lot to write.

"...Mom, I actually miss Moss Forest a little...Although Moss Forest is also very cold in winter, at least there is not such a strong wind, and there will not be such a heavy snow. Of course, the snow scene here is still quite beautiful , and some friends invited me to play outside when the snow stopped for a while, but I was worried that I would accidentally fall into a deep snow pit... You can't imagine how big the snow is...

"... Cecil and Typhon are at war. You must be paying attention to this news, right? You don't have to worry about this. It's very safe here. It seems that the war on the border has not affected the mainland at all... Of course, if you have to say it has an impact There are some, there are news about the war in the newspapers and radio every day, and there are many people talking about it...

"In the past two days, the price of food in the city has risen a little bit, but it has dropped back quickly. According to my friend, the price of cloth has also risen a little bit, but the Supreme Government Office called a meeting of merchants. All prices stabilized after that. You don't have to worry about my life here at all, and in fact I don't want to rely on the convenience of being the patriarch's daughter...my friend is the daughter of an admiral and she's on vacation Going to work...

"Oh, of course, I don't just have one friend, I have several..."

The nib dancing in Meili's hand suddenly stopped, she frowned, her childlike and exquisite facial features were about to wrinkle together, a few seconds later, the gray elf still raised her finger and brushed lightly on the letter paper, and then The last sentence, as if revealing himself, was silently erased.

She temporarily put down the pen in her hand, stretched her waist vigorously, and glanced casually from the side. A newspaper just delivered today was lying quietly on the table, and the front page of the newspaper could be seen clearly. Large Letters—

"Another increase in troops—the heroic imperial warriors have established a firm foothold in Winter Wolf Castle."

"Be firm in your convictions and be ready to face higher-level wars and wider conflicts at any time!"

In this large-scale report on the war, you can also see clear pictures of the frontline. The Magic Net terminal faithfully recorded the scene on the battlefield-war machines, soldiers in line, the position after the gunfire plowed the ground, and the spoils and parcels. body bag...

Although they are all "marginal information" that have no confidentiality level and can be disclosed to the public, the content presented on it is still a scene that is difficult for ordinary people in the rear to touch and imagine. For Mei Li , This kind of behavior of disseminating and reporting the real scene of the war in such a fast and wide manner is itself an incredible thing.

What is the name of the person sending these images back?Battlefield... war correspondent?

All in all he seems to be a pretty amazing guy.

Meili shook her head. She knew that these newspapers were not only issued to the Cecilians. With the pulsation of the blood vessel of commerce, the information carried in these newspapers would move farther and farther at an unimaginable speed in the past. It spread everywhere, to the moss forest, to the kingdom of the dwarves, and even to the southern part of the mainland... The impact of this war between Typhon and Cecil may be unimaginably large.

Is this the situation that Emperor Gawain Cecil deliberately promoted?Did he intend to "show" this war to the entire civilized world?

Meili couldn't help being curious about it.

Chapter 1002 Father and Daughter

It is said that it is already snowing heavily on the plains outside, and the Red Maple City and Boulder City in the west are all dyed white by the snow.

Andersa held on to the railing of the terrace, and slowly walked to the edge of the terrace. She stood on the high place of Sorin Castle, looking at the distant horizon.

It must be snowing at Winter Wolf Castle too, right?There is also Changzhi Manor... Scholars predict that the northern part of the mainland will be colder this year, and this war... may bring about an even colder winter.

She looked up, but she couldn't see the snowflakes falling from the sky, all she could see was the boundless greenery, and the towns and outposts scattered among the vines, tree crowns, flowers and green grass, all kinds of artificial lights like Stars twinkled across the landscape, and the dim spaces between the lights were filled with strange fluorescent plants.

Unknown birds crawled around in the canopy of the giant tree, or occasionally flew across the sky, or boldly landed on the top of the castle's tower and mottled city wall.

A small sound came from her side, and Andersa looked around, and saw a little beast with bright red fur, slightly bigger than a squirrel, climbing up the terrace from nowhere.The little beast held a rose-red fruit in its mouth. After seeing Andersa, it lifted the fruit with its front paws and handed it forward in a very humane way—even wiped it with its paws.

Andersa froze for a moment, met the eyes of the little beast for a few seconds before hesitatingly stretched out her hand to take the fruit - this is a fruit she has never seen in other places, the bright red peel is shiny Like gemstones, it also exudes a strange sweet smell, which looks very attractive.

She remembered the name of the fruit: Thorin fruit.It is the fruit of the giant tree of Thorin, which is a unique "crop" in this area, and is also a source of food for many cities in the eastern part of the Whitsunday Plain.This might be the strangest and most wonderful specialty she had ever heard of in her life, but what wonders could be unimaginable here under the Thorin tree, which itself seemed like a miracle?

Andersa picked up the fruit and took a bite, while the sweet flesh stimulated the taste buds, a slightly weak voice suddenly came from the side: "I hope you like it, after all, I don't have much to entertain guests here. "

Andersa searched for the source of the sound in amazement and curiosity, and finally saw a small flower swaying in the wind near the wall brick where the little beast was standing. The weak and somewhat distorted sound came from the flower bud.

"Ms. Bertila," Andersa said hello to Huabu earnestly with some weird mood, "uh...thank you for your hospitality."

This seemingly thin flower bud is actually an extension of the giant tree of Thorin, and what sounds through the flower bud is the will of the giant tree.Andersa didn't know much about this powerful life form. She only knew that everyone here, including her own father, called her Ms. Beltira—a powerful ancient druid.

The giant tree of Thorin was the final product of the divine disaster in old Anzu. As a Typhon commander who has been following Ansu all the year round, Andersa has certainly investigated this matter, but her investigation is destined not to know too many details.

What kind of changes must human beings with flesh and blood undergo to form this miracle that covers the entire region?What is the origin of this powerful Ms. Bertila?She was very curious about it, but she didn't know whom to ask.

Father may know something, after all, all this is related to that dark sect that has disappeared in the long river of history...

The flower buds in the cracks of the wall bricks swayed, and many small vines gradually gathered around them, and finally a female figure was condensed in the flower vines. Standing there, Bertila seemed to be seriously sizing up Andersa's appearance, although There was no change in expression on her face, and her eyes looked dull and dull, but this look of looking up and down still made Andersa feel uncomfortable for a while.

"Excuse me..." She couldn't help breaking the silence, "Is there something wrong with me?"

"It's nothing, it's just that I haven't paid attention to a Typhon like you for a long time..." Bertila shook his head, "Especially after becoming a plant, it's even harder for me to walk around at will."

Andersa didn't know why this powerful ancient druid was so emotional all of a sudden, she just felt that the other party's words were a little weird, and she lowered her eyelids without knowing how to answer: "Is it... Then I am a little embarrassed, let you To see a Typhonian in distress like me."

"Worried? It's not embarrassing to be injured on the battlefield. Compared with you, my posture is the real embarrassment," Bertila smiled, and said words that Andesa couldn't understand, and then Andesa Just when she was about to ask something, she suddenly glanced in the direction of the terrace entrance, "Ah, it looks like someone is visiting you... Maybe I should avoid it."

Andersa wanted to stop her, but she only opened her mouth in time. The woman in front of her suddenly turned into falling petals and vines, and quickly left the terrace. Andersa could only frown, and looked back at the entrance of the terrace— —She saw her father appearing there, pushing the door and walking towards herself.

Once upon a time, this was a scene that she could never have imagined in her dreams, but today it appeared so naturally in front of her.

"Your body has just gotten better, try not to move for too long," Bud looked at his daughter, and couldn't help saying with concern, "How do you feel today?"

"It's much better," Andersa replied, "I will get up and move according to my physical strength."

After a simple question and answer, the father and daughter fell silent in unison, and an embarrassing silence was maintained on the terrace.

Facts have proved that the separation of more than ten years is not so easy to completely eliminate after all, especially after the two people have experienced too many things in the past ten years, and each has gone through unimaginable life trajectories.On the day they first met, Andersa and Bud talked about a lot of things, but since then, every time they meet, they will inevitably fall into this kind of embarrassment—not knowing what to say, and what to ask , the current situation that can be inquired was very clear on the first day, and after that...they were two strangers.

But both father and daughter are trying to change that.

"I was talking to Ms. Bertila just now," Andersa finally broke the silence after thinking hard for a long time, "She gave me this..."

She showed the half-eaten fruit in her hand, and after Bud glanced at it, there was a weird expression on his face: "Has she started giving fruit to people again recently... Well, it's not a bad habit. But Andersa, you still have to pay attention to it on weekdays, Bertila pulls her... It's best to be reserved when you deal with her."

"Why do you say that? You have a bad relationship with Ms. Bertila?" Andersa asked subconsciously.

Bud quickly waved his hand: "That's not true, at least we have a good relationship now-it's just that she is far more powerful than you think, and she is a person with a very complicated past."

"...In my opinion, being able to grow into a giant tree covering the plains is already powerful enough, can there be more complicated and bizarre life experiences than this?" Andersa smiled, and she saw that her father seemed to be Unwilling to discuss the secrets behind Ms. Bertila in detail, she quickly moved over the topic in a joking manner, "Compared to Ms. Bertila's life, I am more curious about your life these years."

The topic is going on, at least this conversation doesn't look so awkward, it's a good start - Andersa and Bud thought so almost at the same time.

"I thought you wouldn't want to listen to it after I told you about my joining the dark sect last time," Bud also smiled, and said with some self-deprecating, "This is not a good story."

"I was so shocked last time that I didn't think to ask anything, but anyway, it's all over," Andersa looked at her father with a serious look in her only remaining eye , "Of course, if you don't want to mention it again, we don't have to discuss these..."

"There's nothing you want or don't like, as you said, all of this is over, and now it's just old stories," Bud waved his hands, with a very carefree attitude, "And they're all boring old stories... …The first few years, I spent in the laboratory, I showed you the traces of transformation, artificial heart and so on… These things continued my life, and completely separated me from the belief in God of War ...and the years after that... I basically moved around as a dark priest, mainly in Ansu. I did almost all the dark deeds you know about the dark sect.

"I don't intend to justify myself, and I don't think that I can offset those terrible acts by doing some good things in the future... I was led by fanaticism in those days. Now that I think about it, if all the crimes are judged, I'm afraid it will be enough. Hang him several times."

Andersa heard her father say these things in a calm manner, and finally couldn't help interrupting the other party: "What happened after that? During the days after you left the Dark Sect and worked for the Cecils... What did you do? came here?"

"...This period of time is actually not long. Compared with the dark days of more than ten years, it is very short, but it is indeed incredible." Bud smiled, "I became a researcher, sometimes participating in research, sometimes as a researcher. The only dark priest sample is accepted for research, and the rest of the free time...is basically doing questions."

Andersa was surprised: "A question?"

"About mathematics and runes, and things about magical machinery-people always find something to do when they have nothing to do, so I became interested in them," Bud said, suddenly looking at Andersa, "Are you interested in them?"

Andersa was suddenly a little embarrassed. She recalled the books Matilda brought her and some classic "topics" that Matilda mentioned to herself in the letter, and her eyes wandered: "I..."

"You should try it, Andersa, it's not just a matter of interest to you," Bud continued, "You should understand that these things will be very useful in the future, even if you don't consider it from a personal point of view, As a general, you must also have enough knowledge to be competent-in the past, these knowledge may only be the knowledge of marching and fighting, combat experience, how to organize the army and issue and execute various orders, but now you need I know more than that..."

Andersa listened, and couldn't help showing a bit embarrassed look on her face. She actually recognized her father's teaching at the moment. She was not an ignorant and dull person. She is also very aware of the challenges, but people cannot be generalized. She remembers that when she was a child, she once challenged a mathematical problem when she was extremely angry.

Still angry thinking about it now.

Bud didn't seem to notice the subtle changes in his daughter's eyes, or maybe he finally found something to talk to his daughter about, so he couldn't extricate himself from it.He began to talk about mathematics and runes with great enthusiasm, and talked about the interesting problems he had faced as a "researcher" here-except for confidential projects, of course.

And Andersa stood opposite him, from being embarrassed at the beginning, to gradually becoming thoughtful.

She looked at her father, and the faded and fuzzy memories in her mind gradually overlapped with the scene in front of her... Father, is he such a preacher?

She can't remember.

Bud finally finished his long lecture on the spur of the moment. He woke up from the eloquence and looked at his daughter with some embarrassment: "I seem to have said something that seems boring to you."

"It's really boring," Andersa said immediately, without showing any mercy, "But seeing that you are living well here, I feel a little relieved."

"...It's okay, it's okay." Bud said dryly, then he looked at Andersa, and suddenly hesitated.

Andersa noticed this keenly: "What do you want to tell me?"

"...I do have something else to come to you today," Bud said while organizing his words, because he knew that what he was about to say might be difficult for his daughter to accept, "Listen, this matter Maybe it violates your current principles, so you can refuse from the beginning-but I think you still need to consider it carefully, because it is very important to Typhon and Cecil."

Andersa seemed to have a premonition, and she looked at Bud seriously: "If you want to persuade me to completely fall to Cecil, then you don't have to say anything. I know that your position today is tempered by more than ten years of wind and rain. In the end, I understand that, but myself... I'm still going back to Typhon."

"I know you will say that," Bud shook his head, "Don't worry, no one will force you, but His Majesty Gawain wants me to convey one thing to you."

"He?" Andersa frowned, "What does he want?"

"Cecil is trying to train a special type of soldiers that can be used against the spiritual pollution of the gods. These soldiers are crucial to the current disaster caused by the out-of-control gods. For this...he hopes to get Typhon's mass-produced superhumans technology."

A gust of wind happened to blow, and there was a soft rushing sound from the crown of the giant tree of Sorin. Amid the sound of leaves rubbing against branches, Andersa froze for a few seconds before opening her mouth slightly: "Ah???"

Chapter 1003 Stirring

Andersa leaned on the railing of the terrace and squinted her eyes in the breeze. Looking at the outer edge of the giant tree of Sorin from here, she could actually vaguely see the scene of the Holy Spirit Plain—there seemed to be a long and narrow curtain illuminated by the sky. , stretching along the horizon to the distance, the background color of the curtain is pure white, it should be the snow in the plain area, right?

She didn't look back, and broke the silence softly: "I know it's not easy for you to say this in front of me—from your point of view, you must think that this matter is really beneficial to both Cecil and Typhon, right?"

"The fact is the same," Bud said, "Our greatest threat now is the 'God's Disaster', and soldiers who can fight against the God's Disaster are the key to the battle situation. The two countries face the same threat. The crisis is what matters."

"So what about after the crisis?" Andersa turned her head, her only remaining eye looked at Bud quietly, "Cecil and Typhon will become eternal comrades-in-arms and partners, and we will work closely together regardless of the past , are you all living together safely and happily?"

"...No," Bud stared at his daughter, and said calmly after a few seconds, "From my point of view, even if this crisis ends safely and the two countries form some kind of balanced or covenant relationship after the war, This balance and covenant is also temporary. Competition will continue forever, and will evolve into a hidden danger of war again when one side has an Achilles heel. There are no permanent comrades-in-arms and partners in the world, especially at the national level.”

"Mass production of extraordinary technology is one of the foundations of Typhon. I dare not say what the future will be. At least at this stage, this is the guarantee of our military strength. Maybe the Cecils really just want to train a group of fighters against the pollution of the gods." Soldiers... But after the disaster is over, will they still think that way? Mass-produced superhumans plus mass-produced war machines, what will Typhon use to fight against this kind of power at that time?" Andersa shook Shaking his head, "I am a person with narrow vision and inflexibility—that Gawain Cecil may really stand at the height of all mankind, and His Majesty Rosetta may also stand at this height, but I am not.

"I only stand in my position, so it seems to me that this is non-negotiable.

"Perhaps I am not qualified to say this in my current status, but I still have to say—why do all good things fall into the hands of the Cecils?"

Bud looked at Andesa quietly, and after a long time, he slowly smiled: "Your grandfather raised you very well."

Andersa didn't respond, she just quietly looked at the distant scenery, and after a long silence, she suddenly whispered: "From the overall situation, it is best for Cecil and Typhon to fully unite to resist this disaster." The right choice, right?"

"If things were really that simple, it would save a lot of trouble," Bud smiled. "It's a pity that even the two heroes can't 'pinch' the two countries together like clay." Together."

"So, whether the people of Cecil want Typhon's technology, whether they want to use their own technology in exchange, or whether the two countries want to conduct more thorough cooperation and exchanges... these should not come from me to find a breakthrough "Andresa said slowly, "As a soldier, no matter what righteous reasons there are, it would be treason for me to hand over those things. There are some things that our Majesty can do, but I cannot."

Bud was silent for a few seconds before he sighed and said, "Andersa, you have really grown up..."

"Your exclamation is many years late," Andersa looked at her father, with a slight smile on her always stern face, and then she took a deep breath in the wholesome breeze of the Solin area. "I've been outside for too long, I'd better go back to my room before Sister Marianne takes coercive measures."

Bud took half a step forward subconsciously: "Do you want me to take you back?"

"No need, I'm not that weak." Andersa waved her hand, then slowly turned around, moved her feet uncomfortably, and walked towards the exit of the terrace.

It wasn't until her figure completely disappeared at the door that Bud slowly retracted his gaze, and a small voice sounded from a crack in a nearby wall: "You really don't seem like the father and daughter. A conversation between them—more like two officers discussing a war situation with serious faces."

Bud squinted his feet and saw a small flower bud swaying in the wind in the gap between the bricks. He raised his eyebrows: "Didn't you say you want to avoid it? It's you who eavesdropped in the corner. A way to avoid it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a large number of flower vines gushed out of thin air from the edge of the terrace, and Bertila's figure condensed into shape. Now, ceremonial avoidance—all of you are standing on my body, how else can I avoid it? I’m already crawling through the cracks in the bricks.”

Bud felt his brows twitch: "...How come I haven't discovered that you are such a sophistry woman in the past ten years? This change is also due to the 'brain' you created for yourself?"

Bertila didn't answer Bud's question, she just glanced at the direction Andersa was leaving, and said casually: "It seems that there is no need to talk about this matter——I thought that what you, 'father', said It can shake this eldest lady."